Kingsale's Crime, A TALE OF TWO VENDETTAS.

Southern Cross, Volume 12, Issue 15, 9 July 1904, Page 13

Kingsale's Crime, A TALE OF TWO VENDETTAS.

By Mrs George Corbett (Author of “ JPrincess DelilahSfc.)

Bxnopsis of Instalment I to IY.—Labia Kingsale finds her father in great trouble. He says that he must leave her without delay, but for how long he does not know. Before going, however, he gives her a ring, telling her that should she meet someone wearing the duplicate of it* he will prove her friend. He then leaves. Lahla soon afterwards follows in his direction, and on arriving at a pavilion in the grounds, finds a foreign looking man lying dead on the floor and her father going out through another -door. While gazing in amazement at the scene, Sir William Grenelle (who is much attached to the girl, but whom she dislikes) appears, saying that he has been a witness of the crime, and that unless Lahla consents to marfy him, he must have her father branded as a murderer. To save her father she consents, but tells him that he must remove the dead body and hide all traces of the tragedy. They then go indoors for awhile, and on his return to fulfil his task,, he finds that the body has disappeared. Thinking now that Sir William has no hold on her, Lahla breaks off her engagement. That night she hears someone pass her door, and after the footsteps have died away she goes to the garden where, concealed in a shrubbery, she overhears a strange conversation between her father’s valet and a man who is evidently their enemy. Thej are plotting to take her life by poison. During the conversation Lahla learns that the valet is none other than a notorious housebreaker. After the plotters ha*e gone she lingers awhile, when her father once more appears and tells her his plans for the future. Then she goes quietly back to the house. The next day she keeps Tyndall, the valet, employed while she sends off a note for the police, to have him arrested for his former crimes, the present plot being kept a'secret. A visitor is announced, who turns out to be Lord Lacy, the owner of the ring, which corresponds with that given to Lahla by her father. He calls to thank. Kingsale for some aid rendered by him in an accident a short time before, and hearing of the girl’s trouble he stays to assist her. Soon afterwards the police arrive, and in escaping Tyndall shoots at Lahla, wounding her in the arm. Fearing that he may make his way to chapel where her father is hidden, she sets out for it to give warning. She had not gone far however, before she is seized, and a hand roughly placed over her mouth. CHAPTER Y—Continued.) It is Tyndall himself into whose power I have thus imprudently fallen, and a terrified glance into his face shows me that his most brutal instincts are uppermost. So merciless and threatening is his expression that I give myself up for lost, and have not even the nerve to struggle with the fellow. ‘ You see how it is,’ he mutters,’ grimacing horribly at me as he speaks. ‘ You are entirely at my mercy, and your only chance of life is to do as I tell you. What do you say P Is it to be death —or not ?’ One often hears old people say that they are tired of life, and that they will be glad when it is ended for them. But it is always observable that they cling to it keenly enough if a violent death is threatened them. If the old feel like that, how much keener must the wrench lie for those who, like me, are young, and before whom stretches a long vista of possible years of happiness ? In some directions T am recklessly courageous. But in others, lam the veriest coward, and I am so utterly incompetent to cope with Tyndall’s strength and ferociousness that I can only give him to understand by gesticulation and expression, that I will agree to do whatever he commands. ‘ Now, mind ! I mean what I said !’ hisses Tyndall. ‘ One crime more or less will make no difference to me. So don’t think I’ll hesitate a second if you offer to screech. You understand ?’

Ido understand . And lam qaire sure that Tyndall will be as g-iod as his ■word. So I nod my bead in affirmation.

‘ And yoa’ll keep mum ?’ I nod my bead again, and am promptly relieved of the pressure on my m >uth. ‘ Now then,’ continues my captor, ‘give me your hat and and that long cloak.’

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It now dawns on me that Tyndall means to try and escape further notice by disguising himself as far as possible, and though I have perforce to comply with his commands, it is with evident reluctance that Ido so. In fact, I am much too slow to suit the exigencies of the case, and the fellow snatches fiercely at the cloak with which I am loth to part for each a purpose. ‘ Fool!’ he snaps, bat in a judicious undertone. ‘Do yon think to hinder me till lam nabbed P If you do you’ll sign your own death warrant. So hurry up, and help me with this bat and veil.’

The task is certainly not a pleasant one. But it has to be done, and my trembling fingers, with which I am unaccustomed to dress even myself, are hastily employed in transforming a murderous desperado into the semblance of a ladylike woman. The bat has a big, drooping brim, and as it is all black, it is not very noticeable. The veil is of thick black net, with chenille spots on it, and Tyndall’s clean-shaven face doesn’t look ranch nnlike a woman’s when closely veiled. The cloak is of the Mother Hubbard kind, with a very long skirt part, big loose sleeves, and a high collar, which when thrned up almost meets the brim of the hat, and answers Tyndall’s purpose admirably, especially after it has been fastened, right down to the bottom hook, by myself. Tyndall is a man of immense strength—of the concentrated kind. But be is not tall for a man, whereas 1 am very tall for a woman, and the loose cloak provides more than enough room for his extra girth, besides hiding beneath its collar the short, auburn hair. Thinking that I have now done all that is required of me, I turn a little towards the house, but am instantly bronght to order again. ‘ Ah, would you ! ’ snarls Tyndall. I should be a fool to let yeu go off now, and send a horde of police after me ! No ! you stop here till I’ve done with you. And just to make sure—here goes!’ With these words, Tyndall suddenly puts one of his hands over my month again, while, with the other he deliberately tries to choke me! Shall I ever forget the horrible sensation which negatives my wild struggles to free myself from the vice-like grip of those steely fingers ? Or the despair which overwhelms me as those murderous eyes glare into mine ?

I suppose my torture really lasts but a few seconds. But it might be hours, judged by the terror and anguish which are crowded into them. If I could but scream. Surely somebody must be within hearing distance. It seems incredible that the grounds should be already denuded of constables, or that nobody from the house should come to look for me.

‘ Poor Lahla,’ I think. ‘lt is hard to die in the flower of youth !’ By this time my struggles have ceased, and I am almost oblivious of physical suffering, all other sensations being merged in a curiously apathetic stream of thought, wherein there is a fleeting glimpse of my grief-stricken father, followed by a vision of Lord Lacy. H I am sensible of feeling very, very sorry for my father—and for somebody else. Then I seem to be floating upwards, and 1 have decided that 1 must be quite dead, when I feel a sadden renewal of violent pain, and I fall, down—down—down into abyssmal depths ot never-ending space ! I can almost fancy that there are shouts and cries, but I have no time to try and analyse the meaning of these, ere I lose all perception of my surroundings in merciful oblivion.

CHAPTER VI. Lover and Lawteb. lam dead, quite dead. Of that I feel yerj certain, for did not murder glare from Tyndall’s eyes PAnd was I not entire at his mercy ? And yet, being dead, ought 1 still to be in the throes of physical pain ? Surely, when the soul leaves the body, it ought not to be hampered by any of the disadvantages which chain its consciousness to ordinary surroundings P Nevertheless, I pive an involuntary groan as I become aware that my throat is still hurting me terribly, though the grip of the cruel fingers is no longer there. And I find it so difficult to move when I try to do so that, like a flash, it occurs to me that my spirit cannot have been released from its earthly tenement after all. <> Certain sounds of thankfulness which reach my ears prove happily convincing, and I open my eyes to find myself once more lying on the couch in my boudoir. Dr Forbes is bending over me solicitously, and is bolding something for me to drink. ( Take this,’ he enjoins, the while he raises me into a sitting position. And I obey without even the feeblest protest, drinking, though with great difficulty, a draught which proves to be wonderfully efficacious. ‘ And I’m not dead, after all ! ’ I gasp, hardly crediting the possibility of having survived the murderous attack made on me.

‘Dead! No, my dear child, ’is the doctor’s reply. ‘ You shall, I trust, live a great many years yet. But we must have no more reckless exposure to danger until certain desperadoes have been effectually caged. ’ ‘ Why, is Tyndall not caught yet P ’ ‘No. He seems to have absolutely magic powers of evasion. But he is sure to be caught soon.’

The doctor talks on for a few moments, and I try my hardest to comprehend what he says. This, however, is beyond me, for the combined effects of bodily exhaustion and the doctor’s medicine are already sending me asleep, and when next I awake it is morning once more.

Morning ! Why, I mast have slept boars and hoars !. And all this time my father may bare been in an agony of apprehension on my account, nay, worse -still, be may be in fearfal danger because I have failed to visit the crypt, to warn him against Tyndall. ‘ Oh, dear,’ I exclaim. ‘ How could I be so neglectful of my poor father. How could —’

‘ Please, Miss Labia,’ interrupts Hanson, ‘ the master is not at home, and I’m sure nobody could say you neglected anybody.’ Hanson’s remark serves to dispel the last atom of haziness that has lingered in my wits, and 1 promptly raise my eyes to her face, anxious to see how she seems to be faring after her recent disillusionment anent Tyndall. Her right eye is not visible to me, for it is covered by a green shade. But I can see that there is great discolouration below it, and I fervently hope the poor girl’s heart may not be broken by her quondam lover’s cruel treatment. It is a relief to be able to see at a glance that there is no fear on that score.'

In place of the pale, tear-stained face I had pictured, Hanson wears a look of angry scorn which speaks volumes for the soundness of her heart, besides indicating the nature of ber present feelings towards Tyndall.

‘ Yes, you may well look, miss. Black eyes don’t improve anybody. And to think that I imagined myself in love with a villain like that! 1 must have been dotty! But I’m cured now, thank goodness, and I’d like nothing better than to pay the wretch off.’

So says Hanson. And though I put the question to her, I know it is a superfluous one: „ ‘ And you really don’t feel sorry to have lost your lover ?’ ‘My lover indeed! Please, Miss, don’t call him that again; for he really didn’t care for me, and I just hate him. But never mind me. Shall I

fetch yon some breakfast, Miss ?’ ‘Not until I have been made presentable. Why have I been put heie ?’ ‘ Because your bedroom window isn’t properly mended yet, and the doctor said you hadn’t to be disturbed, so long as you could sleep.’ I am inclined to waste no more time in idleness, so, though I still feel rather sick and shaky, I proceed to my dressing-room, and Hanson, having told Saker that I shall he able to take some breakfast, helps me to change into some fresh, dainty garments that would have afforded me the greatest pleasure at another time. Hanson has evidently been warned to say as httle as possible to me concerning my recent terrible experience, for she does not even comment on the ugly bruises which bear witness to the vindictiveness of Tyndall’s cruel grip. But I see the marks myself, and shudder with renewed dread as I am thus reminded that the enemies of our house are as potent for evil as ever they have been. However, I say nothing, though I appreciate my maid’s thoughtfulness when she brings me a long, filmy lace scarf wherewith to cover my disfigured throat. Nor does Saker allude to my latest adventure when I presently receive my breakfast at his hands, I have had it served in the drawing-room this morning, whence I can obtain the best view of the pavilion, and of those who approrch it or leave it. ‘Please Miss Lahla,’ observes Saker, in whose eyes I can see two big drops that look suspiciously like tears, though the poor fellow is trying his best not to show how shocked he is to see me looking so pale and harassed, 4 Please, Miss Lahla, you will be sure not to open the French door P There is such a draught, you know, and it might give you a cold.’ The weather is perfect to-day. But even if it were not I am not given to catching colds, so I easily fathom Saker’s little subterfuge. However i

1 have been taught to be less foolhardy than I was yesterday, and i although I am dreadfully anxious about my father, I do not intend to provoke further danger, or work into i the hands of oar enemies, by venturing to the crypt until after dark. Therefore I am able to allay Saker’s uneasiness by remarking : ‘ I shall be very careful of myself to-day, Saker. As you say, it might not be safe to open the French door until Tyndall is caught,’ 4 Well, you see, Miss, he may be biding close by, ready further mischief, for anything we know.’ 4 Tell me, bow is it that be was prevented from murdering me outright ?’ 4 1 don’t exactly know, except that his lordship came here soon after you had gone out yesterday. He joined in the chase for Tyndall, but he tripped over a tree stump, and sprained his ankle so badly that he could hardly limp back. But when he heard you were not in, he got into a dreadful fright, and 30 did I too, Mias Lahla. We went out straight away to find you, but though bis lordship’s ankle was very bad indeed he ran faster than I could, and saw you lying on the ground, looking like—well, we were both scared at the sight, I can tell you. 1 just caught a glimpse of a woman disappearing behind some trees. But I had no time to think of her just then, for you needed all the help we could give yon. Between us, we carried you in your boudoir, and sent for Dr Forbes. And now, thank the Lord, yon are all right again.’ Am I all right again ? I thought so a while ago. But now lam thoroughly unnerved. Why, I cannot tell, unless it is that Lord Lacy has been the means, under God, of saving my life, for of coarse it was his advent (and Saker’s) that caused Tyndall to relax bis deadly grip be-' fore his intended work was quite accomplished.

And to think that I have been secretly reproaching him with having

soon tired of acting the part of a chivalrous knight ! The lack of courtesy with which yesterday I mentally accused him did not exist, for bis delay in making his re-appearance arose solely through his desire to rid me of an enemy. And only imagine what pain he must have suffered, when he, in spite of p badly-sprained ankle, set out again in search of me. I don’t know quite whether it is because I am glad to have so devoted a friend, or because I am sorry to picture him suffering on my account or whether I am merely in such an over wrought state of mind that anything upsets me. Suffice it that I give way to a foolish outburst of tears, and I am still sobbing convulsively when I become aware of another presence than Baker’s in the room.

Indeed, the voice which speaks to me in such gentle, musical tones belongs to no other than Lord Lacy, who, taking one of my hands in his, kisses it warmly, and then, without even so much as ‘ by your leave/ sets himself to the task of soothing me as though I were nothing more than a child. Oh, how vexed I feel! What must he think of me I How is it that I, who try to be so brave and self-reliant, must always behave like a baby in the presence ot this man, who has the courage of a hero, combined with the tenderness of a pitying woman p It w’ll be dreadful if he merely regards me as a simple cry-baby, when I would rather win his respect than that of anybody else I ever met ! ‘ Of course you are upset/ he rejoins stoutly, after I have lamely assured him that tears are not really in my line, and that I cannot understand why I should be so upset ‘ after the event.’ *Of course you are upset. Anybody would be. if I had been in your pLce I should have been in hysterics.’ The picture of Lord Lacy in hysterics is too much for me, and I burst into a peal of laughter, in which

he joins very heartily. Then sudden compunction strikes* me, as I remember that, so far I have only had thought for my own troubles. ‘Your sprained ankle ?’ I enquire remorsefully. ‘ Saker told me about it. I hope it does not give you much pain P’ ‘ Nothing worth mentioning, I assure you. Dr. Forbes has bandaged it for me, and I daresay it will be all right in a few days. But it hindered my return to you yesterday, and made me almost too late to— ’ ‘To save my life!’ I interrupt impulsively. ‘Not to save your life,' was the* smiling response. Your assailant had already relinquished his prey when I arrived on the scene. But 1 think Saker and I saved you from a severe cold. It vas very imprudent of you to go out without a wrap, so sooit after we had had heavy rains.* ‘ But I did no such thing. I was attired in hat, veil and cloak when I left the honse.’ ‘ Then what became of them ? You. had no cloak or hat near you wheu we found you.’ * No, Tyndall was wearing them then. He compelled me to help him on with them, and no doubt meant to kill me for fear I should betray him.* ‘ The dastard ! Why, that must have been he whom Saker saw ! He said there was a woman ! And tothink that I made no effort to stop him !’ ‘l’m very, very thankful you didn’t! He would have killed yon, and then— ’ ~

I feel my own face paling at the dreadful possibility thus conjured forth. But Lord Lacy, looking mendaciously into my eyes, seems to read therein something that pleases him,, for he smiles quite happily, and still looks happy when I try to modify the effect I have evidently created. ‘ You see,’ I blunder lamely, ‘ lyndall has already killed one man oyer this business, and 1 dread lest any-

body else should come to grief through him.’ A masterful hand takes possession of mine again, and a pair of adoring eyes gaze into my face, the while a voice I have already learned to love says gravely: * But, next to your father, your dread is more on my account than anybody else’s ? Tell me, darling, is it not so ?’ I would fain refuse to endorse this undoubted truth, palpable though it is. But my silence and my blushes are more eloquent to him than words would have been, and, his face positively glorified by joy, he gathers me to bis arms and showers kisses upon my lips and cheeks. ‘My own darling!’ he says exultantly. ‘ Fate marked us out for eich other, and as soen as I saw you, I knew that yon were my twin soul.’ Hi ‘ But,’ I stammer, vainly trying to extricate myself from my ardent lover’s embrace, ‘ we are almost strangers yet! It is so short a time since— ’ ‘My dearest! Love recks naught of Time, whose bridges he can span by a leap! I feel as if I had known you all my life, and henceforth I claim the right to be your constant protector —Ah, what is this ?’ g|The veil with which I had sought to conceal the marks of Tyndall’s ill usage has slipped on one side, and my lover’s face grows black with wrath at what be sees. ‘ I must be your avenger too,’ be says hoarsely. ‘ Such an outrage as this cannot be permitted to go unpunished.’ ‘Mr Macclesfield,’ announces Saker at this moment, and I rise to greet the lawyer, not without some confusion, for I remember that the duty for which I treated the little gentleman somewhat unceremoniously yesterday is still unaccomplished. ‘ No, don’t rise, Miss Kingsale,’ ejaculates Mr Macclesfield, caressing his neatly trimmed pepper-and-salt beard in a manner that betrays inward perturbation of some sort. ‘Pray do not put yourself to any inconvenience on my account. I am only a man of business, who neither expects oor receives consideration from lady clients. I exempt them from all duty in that connection.’ ‘I am very sorry,’ I stammer. ‘Yesterday I was too hurried to go into business details with you. But today— ’ * To-day, Miss Kingsale, 1 find myself too hurried to go into other business details with you than to —’ ‘ Sir !’ interposes Lord Lacy, in such an authoritative tone that the little solicitor literally jumps in his shoes. ‘ Sir, I allow nobody to speak to Miss Kingsale like that in my presence.’ ‘ Indeed ! And who may you be ?’

‘My name is Laoy. And I hope one day to be Miss Kingsale’s husband/

* Very well,’ returns Mr Macclesfield, recovering his coolness. ‘ln that case, my task is easier. Yesterday, 1 came here on an urgent summons from this young lady’s father, on business that should have been of vital importance to her. She declined to have anything to say to me, but actually went for a walk in the grounds, whereupon I immediately walked out of the house also, went home, slept upon my anger at such -cavalier treatment, and returned hither to-day with a specific object.’ ‘ And that object, sir ?’ ‘ Is to resign my position as solicitor to Mr Kingsale and his daughter. I have no need to retain clients who dnil to treat me with proper respect. Here are all the documents in the case, together with my account for services rendered.’ With the last words Mr Macclesfield pompously deposits a large package of papers upon the table, and remembering that my father seemed to attach some value to his lawyer’s luture services, I feel considerable dismay. But Lord Lacy only feels anger. ‘ One word, sir, before you rid the house of your presence,’ he says, sternly. ‘ Are you not ashamed of picking a quarrel because of your reception by a young lady whom you must have known to be in a state of

' great mental distress P’ ‘ No, Mr Lacy,’ is the scornful answer, given while Mr Macclesfield is walking towards the door. * No, sir, lam not. But I should be ashamed of myself were 1 to continue intimate business relations with a family that dare not use its rightful name.’

Another instant, and we are alone, and though I am quivering with amazed grief at the blow just dealt me, I am too angry to give way to womanly tears.

‘ You have heard what that man said ?’ I enquire, looking as proud as I know how while thus challenging my lover’s fealty. But I need have no fear on that account, for he kisses my hand as respectfully as though I were a queen, and observes : ‘Yes, I beard, and what I have heard confirms me in a resolution already formed. I mean to constitute myself the guardian of your interests while your father is from home.’ t And I shall be only too grateful for your help, especially now that Mr. Macclesfield has failed me. He has always suited my father so well, aub I cannot understand why he is behaving so badly now. ’ ‘He has behaved atrociously, but I think I understand why. Have you to the best of your knowledge, any personal enemy to fear-somebody who has a grudge against you apart from the Carrizal easiness ? ’

Instantly I recall Sir William Grenelle’s threat to expose our family skeleton and make me ‘ thankful to accept the honour of becoming Lady Grenelle,’ and without the slightest further reservation, I tell exactly what has passed between the baronet and myself. ‘ Yon are right, ’ says Lord Lacy. ‘ This man is likely to be an evil factor in your future, unless we circumvent him. ’

‘ Perhaps it was only a lame threat. He may not mean to really harm me.’ ‘ On the contrary, he is the most unscrupulous and vindictive man I ever met. He is also the vainest. You have wounded bis vanity bitterly by refusing to marry him, and Mr. Macclesfield’s otherwise inoomprehensive behaviour is the consequence of Sir William Grenelle’s first move toward reducing your independence of spirit. ’ This is said in a tone of strong conviction, which is so exactly in unison with my own opinion, that I consider it unnecessary to make any verbal comment on this new phase of complication. But my face grows more troubled looking, I know and Lord Lacy instantly sets out about the task of mitigating my uneasiness. ‘ But a move like that, ’ he continues tenderly, ‘ will not go far towards winning the game, and probably Sir William Grenelle did not count upon having me to deal with. And, by way of checkmating him, we must get to work at once. Do you care to allow me to read the papers the solicitor has just left ? They may help us to a better understanding of the whole situation. ’ ‘By all means read them, ’ I exclaim eagerly. And, while you are about it, let us go to my father’s room and get the papers he has left in the safe for me to read. We shall learn a great deal from them. ’ Five minutes later Lord Lacy and I are unlocking my father’s safe, with the key I have in my possession. But with the opening of the door a severe shock awaits me. The safe is empty ! (To be Continued.)